ABOUT Captain Cain Auditions

The time period of the play is 1850’s – 1880’s.

Characters required are typical of the mix of classes in society in a new country: run holders, doctors, lawyers, businessmen, officials, servants, boatmen, gossips, wives and children.

Captain Cain a peppery old sea dog is the main character. Great sense of humour, respected businessman. He serves both as narrator and as an actor in the drama.

All other actors will have the challenge (and the fun) of playing multiple roles using only body language, voice and maybe a prop or item of clothing. (link below is an amusing example of one person playing multiple roles).

https://twitter.com/bettinasross1/status/1584207031350665217?s=12&t=4ZFvgwIvrhXTBl8R03K83Q

Depending on experience and ability, actors will have the choice of only a few roles or several.

Other Characters include:
Kitty Hall             – the good-natured, trusting step daughter of Captain Cain who marries Tom Hall
Mrs Cain              – Kitty’s mother. Equal to her role as wife of a significant figure
Tom Hall              – the charming, calculating, son of Thomas Hall senior, accused of murder and attempted murder
Meg Houston    – a confident, amusing, Scottish lady’s maid also charged with attempted murder
Thomas Hall  – highly respected run holder/businessman, ex sea captain
Sir John Hall  – brother of Thomas, intelligent, ambitious. Becomes Premier of NZ
Sarah and Rose Hall  – supportive wives of Thomas and John Hall, privileged but accepting of hardships in a new country. Focused on family
Dr McIntyre  – a convivial Irishman who treated Captain Cain and Kitty. A key figure
Professor Black – Scottish. Professor of chemistry, refined and dignified.
Drs Ogsten, Drew, and Hogg – all men of science, important in the trials
Inspector Broham  – Irish. Big broad shouldered grand figure
Justice Williams, Robert Stout, Mr Joynt, Mr Haggitt – lawyers
Mr Hutton – a very entertaining book seller
Nurse Ellison – an esteemed maternity nurse who cared for Kitty. A key figure
Jeannie Turnbull & Mary Hassam – feisty domestic servants
Emma Ostler, her daughter Nell, & Florence Gillon – friends of the Cain family
Rhodes Bros, Henry Le Cren, immigrants, councillors, townspeople, witnesses, newsreaders etc etc

Contact Carol Anglem to express interest or if you have any questions rossandcarol@xtra.co.nz

Sun 13th Nov 2-5pm & Tues 15th Nov 6.30-9pm